Seasonal Avian Conservation Biologist
Auburn University (State)
Details
Application Deadline:
04/10/2026
Published:
10/28/2025
Starting Date:
between 4/28/2026 and 5/1/2026
Ending Date:
between 7/30/2026 and 8/8/2026
Hours per Week:
30 - 50
Salary:
$21 per hour
Education Required:
Some Undergraduate
Experience Required:
none
Location:
Auburn, Alabama
Description
Job Description:
The Alabama Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit at Auburn University is seeking Seasonal Avian Conservation Biologists (3) for a multi-faceted inventorying and conservation planning project focused on avian and acoustic wildlife monitoring across selected state-owned lands in Alabama.
Pay & Benefits:
- $21/hour (highly competitive)
- Free housing provided
- Late April–August 7, 2026 (with possible extension for data processing/validation)
Primary Duties:
- Conducting avian point counts
- Deploying and servicing automated recording units (ARUs)
- Processing and validating ARU data
- Deploying and servicing playback recording devices (PRDs)
Additional Duties May Include:
- Deploying camera traps
- Conducting vegetation surveys
- Operating and maintaining field vehicles
- Inventorying landcover types and locations of Species of Greatest Conservation Need
These responsibilities span multiple research objectives, including:
- Monitoring breeding bird communities and linking population trends to management actions in Wildlife Management Areas
- Evaluating the conservation potential of conspecific attraction
- Testing the future of avian and acoustic wildlife monitoring methods
Qualifications (Required):
We seek highly motivated individuals with:
- Prior field experience and bird identification skills (sight and sound preferred)
- Enthusiasm, grit, attention to detail, and a positive attitude
- Willingness to engage in physically demanding fieldwork and detail-oriented office work
- A valid driver’s license and ability to work in challenging environmental conditions (heat, humidity, dense vegetation, wildlife, etc.)
Desired (Optional) Qualifications:
We encourage all interested candidates to apply, even if they do not possess any of the listed items:
- Prior data entry/processing experience
- Experience with audio processing tools, such as Audacity and RavenPro
- Familiarity with automated detection software, such as BirdNET
Professional Development:
Educational background is flexible; however, these positions are ideal for individuals pursuing careers in avian monitoring, wildlife management, or bioacoustics. The skills gained are especially valuable preparation for those considering graduate studies (MS/PhD).
Apply:
To apply, please send the following application materials to Lucas Parvin (lkp0038@auburn.edu) and Kylie Blake (kzb0180@auburn.edu):
To apply, please send the following application materials to Lucas Parvin (lkp0038@auburn.edu) and Kylie Blake (kzb0180@auburn.edu):
- A cover letter describing your relevant experience and interests in the project
- A current resume or CV
- Names and contact information for at least three professional references
Interviews will begin in December, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
Contacts:
- Lucas Parvin, Graduate Student Field Lead – lkp0038@auburn.edu, 541-297-8198
- Kylie Blake, Graduate Student Field Lead – kzb0180@auburn.edu, 508-926-9887
Contact
Lucas Parvin
lkp0038@auburn.edu (preferred contact method)